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This page contains 5 sections: developer log, member activity, latest posts, upcoming meetups, and classified ads.

Developer log


Version 0.4 (April 21): Add external link for each item in recent posts.
Please send feedback to Ian via WhatsApp or email ian@travelmassive.com.

Member activity

Here's 10 things that happened most recently:


Joshua Rawlinson followed Maddy Burgoyne (39 minutes ago)
Tobias Sweijen followed Ian (2 hours ago)
Heiko Müller followed Michael Demmons (3 hours ago)
Ian followed Tobias Sweijen (4 hours ago)
Bernard Finkle joined the community (5 hours ago)
Nick Rosen commented on Seeking Tourism Job Boards (7 hours ago)
Heather Rose registered for December Holiday Mixer (13 hours ago)
Judit Holp registered for Webinar: How to prepare for ITB Berlin 2026 (15 hours ago)
Michel Visser followed Heinz Grünwald (16 hours ago)
Georgia Yurkwich-Spink followed topic Group Travel (21 hours ago)

Recent posts

Here's the 10 most recent posts:


#1. Seeking Tourism Job Boards: (0 upvotes, 2 comments).


Posted by Nick Rosen in Discussion , Career, Jobs.
Featured on Dec 18, 2025 (Today).


2 comments:

Nick Rosen (Editor/Writer/Content Creator, The World Overload):

Are there job boards specific to the tourism and hospitality industry? Both corporate or individually owned? In-office, remote, abroad, etc.


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Hi Nick,

Good question. There's dozens (hundreds?) of tourism job boards out there — most are country or segment (e.g. cruise, hotel) specific.

Here's a few suggestions:

1. Travel Massive Jobs Board and Classifieds is updated regularly: www.travelmassive.com/classifieds

2. You can also find many individual career pages on our Company Directory - choose the "careers page" search option, then click on the "careers" button on each result to view their jobs board directly: www.travelmassive.com/companies?careers_page=true

3. For the outdoor industry, we featured GetOutDoorJobs a few years ago: www.getoutdoorjobs.com

4. For hostels, @darren-overby created hosteljobs.net

5. For Travel Tech, @mauricio created the Travel Tech Essentialist Jobs board: jobs.traveltechessentialist.com/jobs

6. Also check out jobboardsearch.com which is created by @rrmdp and aggregates hundreds of job boards, including ours.

I'd also recommend looking on LinkedIn as many organisations post their jobs directly.

Good luck and I hope these resources are helpful to you and others.


End of comments.

#2. Travel Tech Spotlight: Why Portugal is An Emerging Hub For Travel Startups and Innovation: (6 upvotes, 5 comments).


Posted by Alper Aydın in Article , Portugal, Travel Tech, Startup, Innovation, Entrepreneurship.
Featured on Dec 12, 2025 (6 days ago).

Portugal has become one of Europe’s most exciting travel destinations and now one of its most promising travel tech hubs. In 2024, the country welcomed a record 31.6 million visitors, reaching new highs in both arrivals and revenues.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the sector is [projected to contribute €62.7 billion](wttc.org/news/portugals-travel-tourism-sector-enters-golden-era) to the national economy in 2025, representing 21.5% of GDP and supporting nearly 1.2 million jobs.

Article image #0
*The 25 de Abril Bridge connects Portugal's capital city of Lisbon to the municipality of Almada.*

Tourism has long been a cornerstone of the Portuguese economy. What is changing now is the way technology is reshaping every part of the travel experience, from planning and booking to exploration and sharing.

A New Wave of Innovation

Portugal’s startup scene has matured rapidly, producing global successes such as Talkdesk, Remote, and Feedzai. Startup funding has grown by around 30% annually since 2016, and the ecosystem now benefits from strong public and private support. Initiatives like [Startup Portugal](startupportugal.com), [Turismo de Portugal’s innovation programs](business.turismodeportugal.pt/en/Investir/Financiamento/Programas_incentivos/Pages/default.aspx), and the [Startup Visa](vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/startup-visa) scheme continue to attract international founders looking for a launchpad in Europe.

The country’s position as host to [Web Summit Lisbon](websummit.com) further strengthens its status as a magnet for talent and investment. With an affordable cost of living, high quality of life, and a multilingual, skilled workforce, Portugal offers the ideal foundation for innovation in travel technology.

Emerging Opportunities in Travel Tech

1. All-in-One Travel Platforms
Modern travelers expect a frictionless, digital-first experience. New platforms are consolidating discovery, planning, and booking into unified ecosystems, allowing travelers to move seamlessly from inspiration to action. These integrated tools aim to simplify decision-making while also embedding sustainability metrics, loyalty systems, and community elements.

2. Sustainable and Responsible Travel
As climate awareness grows, sustainability has shifted from a niche value to a core business driver. Startups are developing tools that measure carbon footprints, encourage local participation, and guide users toward low-impact travel choices. The ability to translate sustainability into accessible, data-backed actions is becoming a defining factor for next-generation travel tech brands.

3. Experiential and Wellness Travel
A new generation of travelers is prioritizing experiences over consumption. Portugal, with its mix of nature, culture, and wellness traditions, is ideally positioned to serve this demand. Entrepreneurs are creating digital solutions that connect visitors with authentic, local experiences, from surf therapy retreats and culinary workshops to sunrise community gatherings and cultural immersion programs.

4. Smart City Passes and Bundled Services
Urban tourism is being transformed by digital passes that combine convenience and value. Lisbon and Porto are seeing a rise in smart city cards that give access to transport, attractions, and experiences through a single platform. These models benefit both travelers and local partners, offering real-time data insights that help cities manage visitor flows more sustainably.

Article image #1
*The Tripnly [Lisboa City Pass](lisboacitypass.tripnly.com) provides attractions and activities in an affordable package.*

5. AI and Personalization
Artificial Intelligence is redefining how travelers interact with destinations. From AI-based itinerary builders and dynamic pricing engines to personalized local recommendations, technology is shifting the focus from mass tourism to tailored exploration. With its strong pool of developers and AI researchers, Portugal is well-placed to lead in this field.

6. Digital Nomads and Long-Stay Travelers
Portugal’s welcoming visa policies, sunny climate, and strong internet infrastructure have made it a global hub for remote workers. Communities such as [Madeira’s Digital Nomad Village](digitalnomads.startupmadeira.eu) and coworking networks in Lisbon and Ericeira highlight the growing demand for platforms that blend travel, work, and lifestyle services. Startups that can integrate accommodation, community, and experience layers stand to define the next frontier of travel.

Why Portugal Stands Out

Portugal’s advantage lies in its balance of authentic local culture and global connectivity. Its small geographic size allows startups to test, launch, and scale quickly, while its international exposure through tourism provides immediate access to diverse user bases. The presence of government-backed programs, a growing investor network, and strong collaboration between public and private sectors further enhance its appeal.

In addition, Portugal’s focus on sustainability and innovation sets it apart. From green energy initiatives to smart city projects, the country is aligning policy with the digital transformation of tourism. This creates a fertile environment for startups to develop solutions that serve both economic and environmental goals.

The Road Ahead

Portugal’s tourism and startup ecosystems are converging at the right time. Record visitor numbers, digital adoption, and entrepreneurial energy are shaping a new wave of travel innovation. Startups that succeed will be those that combine technology with empathy, enhancing rather than replacing the human side of travel.

As travelers seek more meaningful, connected, and sustainable journeys, Portugal is positioning itself not just as a destination but as a creator of the future of travel.

The message is clear: the travel tech revolution is already happening here, and Portugal is ready to lead it.


5 comments:

Alper Aydın (Co-Founder & CEO, Tripnly 🧭):

Hello everyone 👋🏽

My name is Alper Aydın and I’m the Co-founder & CEO of Tripnly (tripnly.com), a Lisbon-based software company focused on travel technologies.

Lately, I’ve been closely experiencing how Portugal is evolving, not only as a travel destination but also as a fast-growing travel tech hub, especially since we moved Tripnly’s HQ to Lisbon at the beginning of 2025. This perspective comes directly from what we’ve been building at Tripnly and from the experiences, observations, and conversations I’ve had across the local ecosystem.

I’d love to hear your thoughts: How do you see the future of travel tech in Portugal or Europe? Which areas do you believe will have the biggest impact, AI, sustainability, or experience-driven travel?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! 🙌🏽


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Hi Alper,

Thanks for joining and sharing your insight with the Travel Massive community!

Fun fact: We created the first MVP of Travel Massive's community platform in Lisbon, a little over 10 years ago. I hired a local development team, and spent a few weeks in Lisbon to help develop it (it took months to fully complete the project). There wasn't much of a digital nomad scene in Portugal back then, so I set things up in San Francisco. So, you can say that part of Travel Massive was built in Portugal 😀

Also, there's a Lisbon Travel Massive chapter that has had a number of events over the years — if you're in Lisbon and want to get the community connected, feel free to host a Travel Massive meetup:

www.travelmassive.com/posts/lisbon-travel-massive-991705117

Hope to see you at an event in Europe some time!


Nathan James (NJames Digital):

Looks like one of those places to be though unsure how much of an actual nomad scene there is there. A little on the expensive side too by the looks of it, but I'm sure it's worth it for some.


Mustafa ():

İmpressive


Domi MONTESINOS (Blogueur de voyage, capitaine, expert maritime, Atelier TenderCat):

Article particulièrement intéressant! Je suis très concerné car j'aime beaucoup le Portugal (j'y suis allé plusieurs fois en bateau) et que je cherche à collaborer avec un constructeur de bateaux portugais pour la fabrication de mes catamarans "TenderCat"
domimontesinos.com


End of comments.

#3. FamilyTravelSpirit — Itineraries, ideas and tips for family travel in Bulgaria and beyond: (7 upvotes, 2 comments).


Posted by Nadezhda Toleva in Blog , Bulgaria, Family Travel, Planning.
Featured on Dec 12, 2025 (6 days ago).
External link to website.

2 comments:

Nadezhda Toleva ():

FamilyTravelSpirit is a (Bulgarian-language) blog for real travel - with kids, without kids, in the mountains, in big cities or somewhere completely unexpected. We love exploring in all its forms and share the moments as they happen.

The easy ones, the chaotic ones and everything in between. If you’re looking for honest experiences and practical ideas for your next adventure, you’ll feel at home here.

Learn more about our story at familytravelspirit.com/za-nas/


Jenn Warren (Travel content creator, Dinkum Tribe):

Sounds awesome! Will look you up when I'm headed that way.


End of comments.

#4. Roomsing — Keyless check-in solution for renting and sharing apartments using smart locks: (3 upvotes, 1 comments).


Posted by Bogdan Koveza in Product , Accommodation, Travel Tech, Startup.
Featured on Dec 10, 2025 (8 days ago).
External link to website.

Roomsing is a contactless room access and guest communication platform for accommodation providers. The system completely automates guest access and key handover, providing guests with 24/7 access flexibility while increasing operational efficiency for property managers.


1 comments:

Bogdan Koveza (CEO, Roomsing):

Hi Travel Massive community,

My name is Bogdan Koveza and I'm the founder of Roomsharing, and partner at Norke Management Company. I have 15 years of experience in the hotel industry (including at international brands such as IHG, Accor, and Radisson), having worked my up from a restaurant intern to a hotel co-founder.

At Norke we opened 13 apartment hotels and 2 glamping resorts. My experience working at the hotel reception inspired me to develop the Roomsharing online check-in system to automate this process.

How Roomsing works:

After booking, the guest receives an SMS / WhatsApp message with a link to an online registration. After successful document moderation, a smart lock code is automatically sent to the guest. The guest can also open the room through the application or through a personal account via web access.

The platform utilizes AI-powered communication tools via messenger and phone to streamline operations by handling common inquiries instantly. This also significantly enhance the guest experience by ensuring prompt, personalized, and accurate support.

This blend of seamless access and smart communication is crucial for achieving high satisfaction scores and maximizing operational profitability.

To date, we've already proven successful across Europe, with Roomsing proudly trusted by over 2,000 clients in three countries, including Spain.

If you have any feedback or questions about our product I'd be happy to respond. Thanks!


End of comments.

#5. Costa Rican Food Tour in San Jose (My First Time in Central America): (6 upvotes, 5 comments).


Posted by Raymond Cua in Video , Costa Rica, Food, Central America.
Featured on Dec 10, 2025 (8 days ago).
External link to website.

5 comments:

Raymond Cua (Travel Blogger, YouTuber and Industry Judge, Travelling Foodie):

My first time visiting Costa Rica (and Central America) so of course I'm eating my way in local street food! I tried chorreadas, caldosas, empanadas, chifrijo, tortilla con queso and more.

My Costa Rica road trip guide and itinerary: travellingfoodie.net/costa-rica-road-trip/


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Great video! The Chifrijo and Olla de Carne looked delicious!

How strong is the coffee in Costa Rica? Does the brewing method make it taste different to espresso?


Raymond Cua (Travel Blogger, YouTuber and Industry Judge, Travelling Foodie):

Thanks for watching! The coffee in Costa Rica is generally strong but depends from what region because the altitude affects it.

Brewing methods are more akin to compare with brewed/drip coffee. But I can't say much about the Vandola because that was the only time I had it.

At the coffee tasting in the video, we had different beans per each brewing method so it's not a proper benchmark. It would be interesting to try one variety of coffee across different brewing methods.


Erin Coyle ():

Looks like a great food experience!


Raymond Cua (Travel Blogger, YouTuber and Industry Judge, Travelling Foodie):

It was! Love Costa Rican street food!


End of comments.

#6. Anybody have any favorite saunas they love to visit?: (0 upvotes, 5 comments).


Posted by Andre Abbasi in Discussion , Sauna, Wellness.
Featured on Dec 10, 2025 (8 days ago).


5 comments:

Andre Abbasi (Founder, Good Karma Sauna):

I'm creating a directory of interesting/unique/great saunas around the world. Are there any you love that I should reach out to?


Matt Graham (Editor, Australian Frequent Flyer):

I really like Allas Sea Pool and Löyly in Helsinki. They both attract a mix of locals and tourists, but their locations and ambience are just really good and the saunas themselves are great.


Andre Abbasi (Founder, Good Karma Sauna):

Been there a few times - great spot!


Hristina Nabosnyi (Travel blogger, CheckinAway):

I love going to Therme Bucharest, one of the largest spa and wellness centres in Europe. Therme is the largest saunas complex in Romania with 9 dry saunas and 4 wet saunas where 300 people can enjoy at the same time. The dry saunas are in the Elysium area (there are 3 areas you can visit).

You can read more about Therme Bucharest here checkinaway.com/therme-bucharest-all-you-need-to-know/


Clarice (Travel Blogger, Travel Doorways):

This may not fit your criteria, but I love visiting Lurgbauer, which is a farm and restaurant in the mountains of Styria, Austria, that also offers rooms for guests. Two of the rooms have their own private sauna, which is absolutely delightful. One of these is in a lovely rustic building of its own, and the views from the sauna overlook the fields and mountains. In the winter, you can walk outside your own door after heating up in the sauna and roll in the snow to cool off! The food is delicious (although not appropriate for vegetariansthis is a cattle farmand the well water is the best I've ever tasted! www.lurgbauer.at


End of comments.

#7. Made to Hike — Europe's first guide-owned marketplace connecting certified mountain professionals with hikers: (11 upvotes, 5 comments).


Posted by Michel Visser in Marketplace , Hiking, Europe, Nature, Adventure, Startup.
Featured on Dec 10, 2025 (8 days ago).
External link to website.

Made to Hike is Europe's first guide-centric marketplace that connects certified IFMGA and IML mountain guides with adventure seekers. We prioritize authentic experiences, verified credentials, and fair compensation for professional guides across the Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees, and Scottish Highlands.


5 comments:

Michel Visser (Founder & Guide, Made to Hike):

Let me shortly introduce myself. I'm a passionate hiker who loves to spent time in the mountains. Currently I am a certified Mountain Leader (ML) in the UK & Ireland and training to become a IML in 2027. My favorite places for hiking are Scotland, Dolomites and the Pyrenees. But I've been trekking across the world form Guatemala, Finland, Norway to Iceland, New Zealand, and Peru. Somewhere along the way, I realized we needed a better way to connect guides with adventurers - one built around fair pricing (guide first), genuine community, and responsible mountain tourism.

So I'm building MadeToHike.com - think Airbnb, but specifically for certified mountain guides. A place where guides can focus on what they do best (being in the mountains), while we handle the marketing and bookings.

We want to offer fair economics. Where guides keep 95% of the revenue. Most of the current platforms take 20 or more % away from where the value is created. Beyond fair economics we'll offer:

- Marketing handled for you - Professional booking platform with advertising across Google, Facebook, and Instagram
- Smart waiver management - Automated waiver collection with real-time tracking, multi-party support for group bookings, insurance verification, medical history collection, and participant tracking
- Automated packing lists - Smart packing lists tailored to your tour type, automatically sent to participants
- Less admin, more guiding - Complete dashboard to manage bookings, track revenue, and monitor waiver status in one place
- Community that cares - Only certified guides (like IFMGA, UIMLA and local certifications) who value authentic, responsible mountain experiences

We're looking for 50 founding guides to test the platform. Are you a certified guide or do you know someone who would like to help us test the platform?

We are looking for certified guides (testers) from European mountain regions and beyond. Whether you guide in the Alps, Highlands, Pyrenees, Carpathians, or mountain ranges around the globe, we want to hear from you. This is about building something properly, with input from people who understand what matters in the mountains.

👉 Visit our guide invite page to learn more and get started: www.madetohike.com

The signup is straightforward - create your profile, list your tours, and start testing. First 50 guides lock in the founder benefits.

This is built by someone who guides and hikes regularly, so development happens between as we are on the go. But that means it's being built by someone who understands what guides actually need - less admin, more mountains, and fair compensation for your expertise.

Questions? Reach out directly. Always happy to talk with fellow mountain enthusiasts.


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Hi Michel,

Thanks for joining us and sharing Made To Hike with the Travel Massive community!

How do people currently find guides for hiking? Is it word of mouth, or via other methods such as Facebook groups?

I'm curious about your decision to only take 5% for marketing. If other platforms are taking 20% or more, then they have more revenue for paid advertising, and can outbid your platform. So how will you be able to "out market" the competitors with less marketing budget?


Michel Visser (Founder & Guide, Made to Hike):

Hi Ian,

First of all, thanks a lot for your reply and questions! That is much appreciated.

Currently there is a wide variety of finding a local (certified) guide. Local tourism associations, travel agencies play a huge roll. Word of mouth is very important. But we also see more and more unsafe situations where people go into the mountains without a guide or appropriate knowledge.

As a guide I wanted to see a platform that helps me be more in the mountains without taking a +20% or more cut of my base price. We ask a small fee (5%) from the Guide and add a service fee (10%) on top of the base price for the Hiker/Booker.

Hence we’ll be able to market properly and community building / word of mouth / referral is rewarded properly through the platform as well.

Happy to hear if you see other opportunities as well.

Cheers and happy hiking!


Wassim Benabdelmoula (Manager, Ghilane Travel Services):

↗️↗️


Michel Visser (Founder & Guide, Made to Hike):

Thanks :)


End of comments.

#8. For the pet parents out there: Do you take your dog with you when you travel, or leave them behind?: (0 upvotes, 4 comments).


Posted by Vick Fichtner in Discussion , Pet Travel.
Featured on Dec 9, 2025 (9 days ago).


4 comments:

Vick Fichtner (Travel Entrepreneur & Founder, Wander Woofs):

For many travelers, decisions about where to go and what to visit quietly revolve around one question: “What about my pet?”

Some people stop traveling as much. Others limit themselves to pet-friendly plans only. And a lot of us know that heavy feeling of leaving our dog behind - the guilt, the video calls to the sitter, the “is he okay?” messages… while we’re supposed to be relaxing. Talk about traveling with a heart divided!

I felt this deeply traveling around Europe with my Yorkie, Chilli. We’d arrive in a new city, excited to explore its museums and landmarks, only to discover that dogs weren’t allowed - and there was no safe, flexible option to leave him nearby. It was stressful for both of us, and made me give up on many travel plans...

That experience inspired me to create Wander Woofs, which is the first tourist dog-sitting service in Spain, meeting travelers at the doors of major attractions so their dogs can stay safe and happy nearby while humans go inside. This year, the project was shortlisted among the top 25 travel entrepreneur ventures in the 2025 Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism competition, supported by Travel Massive and partners – which showed me that this “pet problem” is more universal than I thought. It was also a great honor for me and a validation that this is the right path. After all, for many, me included, our pet are part of our family.

I’d love to open this up as a conversation with the community:

- Do you take your dog with you when you travel? Why or why not?
- What’s been your biggest challenge or worry when traveling with a pet?
- If you don’t travel with your dog, what would need to change for you to feel comfortable bringing them along?
- Have you seen any clever pet-inclusive solutions in your region or business?
- What`s the most pet-friendly place you visited, with or without your pup?

I’m especially curious how different destinations and travel companies are (or aren’t yet) integrating pets into their tourism offer, and what “good practice” might look like.


Vick Fichtner (Travel Entrepreneur & Founder, Wander Woofs):

Hi everyone 👋 I’m Vick, a Brazilian travel entrepreneur based in Barcelona. I’m the founder of Experience Wanderlust (boutique Mediterranean travel design) and Wander Woofs, our tourist dog-sitting service in Spain inspired by my own travels with my Yorkie, Chilli.

I’d really love to hear your perspectives – as travelers, DMOs, tour operators, hoteliers, or tech founders. Pet-inclusive travel still feels like a “blind spot” in many destinations, and I’m curious what you’re seeing on the ground where you work.


Alastair McKenzie (Social & Travel Media Blogger, Mechtraveller.com):

Wander Woofs sounds like a great idea, but as a less than perfect solution. Who wouldn't want to take their pet with them? At least, as far as border restrictions allow. FWIW, in the UK pet-inclusive travel doesn't feel like a “blind spot” anymore. Dog-friendly, and by extension pet-friendly (to a certain extent), holidays and accommodation have become a really significant travel market niche in recent years. Travel writers like Lottie Gross (www.lottiegross.com) have been bringing attention to this previously ignored travel sector for almost a decade now and it's astonishing to see how travel providers have embraced it. A week ago I was staying in a country pub that was awash with dog owners, and proud to be!


Vick Fichtner (Travel Entrepreneur & Founder, Wander Woofs):

Hi, Alastair, thank you so much for joining the discussions, and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply, and for the UK perspective, since it`s not a market I`m an expert at.


I completely agree with you: in many places, especially in the UK and Italy, pet-inclusive stays and holidays have grown a lot, and that’s wonderful to see. I love hearing about pubs and hotels that are proudly full of dogs - that’s the dream scenario for many of us. Spain has been showing a very promising growth as well, especially when considering accommodation, restaurants/bars/cafes, and public transportation. But there`s still a lot to do…


Wander Woofs actually comes in at a slightly different point of the journey. Even when travelers find a dog-friendly hotel or rental, they still hit a wall when it comes to non-pet-friendly attractions - cathedrals, museums, iconic landmarks, certain shows, fine dining, etc. That’s where a “tourist dog-sitting” option can remove a lot of stress and last-minute compromise.


I agree it’s not a perfect solution in the bigger picture - in an ideal world, tourism infrastructure, urban design, and regulations would be much more pet-inclusive from the start. But for now, I see Wander Woofs as a bridge that:


- Helps travelers feel safe bringing their dogs along, instead of leaving them behind, and

- Shows destinations where there’s real demand for better pet-inclusive planning around their “hero” attractions.


I`m curious to hear about your experience in the UK:


- Have you seen any destination or attraction-level solutions for this “what about the dog while I’m inside the museum/castle?” problem?

- And are there any examples you’d point to as “this country/region is doing pet-inclusive travel really well”?


Also, thank you for mentioning Lottie Gross, her work has definitely helped push this topic into the mainstream. I’d love to see more crossover between that kind of pet-focused storytelling and how destinations design their tourism offer on the ground.


End of comments.

#9. Cheers to 2025: Celebrating Our Saigon Travel Massive Community at The Palm Restaurant & Bar: (11 upvotes, 0 comments).


Posted by Natalya Wissink in Article , Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Community, Travel Massive, Saigon.
Featured on Dec 5, 2025 (13 days ago).
External link to website.

Thanks to all our [Saigon Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/ho-chi-minh-city-travel-massive-719984002) members for joining our final event of the year at [The Palm Restaurant & Bar](www.thebachsuites.com/thepalm/) which recently opened on the top floor of the luxury French-inspired [Bach Suites Saigon](www.thebachsuites.com).

The exclusive networking event welcomed a diverse mix of industry experts from across the Vietnamese and South East Asian tourism industry — including representative from DMCs, hotels, tour operators, tavel agents, content creators, consulting and travel tech. Notable brands included: [Abercrombie & Kent](www.travelmassive.com/@rob-rankin-4628239411), [Exo Travel](www.travelmassive.com/@louane-daigremont-casado-8776973686), [Khiri Travel](www.travelmassive.com/@nicola-scaramuzzino-2323595488), [Aurora Travel](www.travelmassive.com/@jina-bao-anh-6116925984), [Hyatt Regency](www.travelmassive.com/@thu-nguyen-9677334115), [Six Senses](www.travelmassive.com/@tran-van-anh-1946458444), [Azerai](www.travelmassive.com/@kieu-linh-8663610704), [Furama Resort](www.travelmassive.com/@duyen-nguyen-1151218726), [Lacaph Coffee Experiences](www.travelmassive.com/@michael-huynh-1883211450), [VN Bike Tour](www.travelmassive.com/@quynh-tran-7957491167), [The Learning Adventure](www.travelmassive.com/@quynhanhpt), [Agape Travel](www.travelmassive.com/@khanh-han-nguyen-4916144170), [Travel With Viv](www.travelmassive.com/@vivian-vo-1009190508), [The CAKE Collective](www.travelmassive.com/@kevin-lee-1038497414), [Heads on Pillows](www.travelmassive.com/@ngan-pham-1165982972), and [Visit APAC](www.travelmassive.com/@san-luong-4476548288).

We also hosted a lucky draw with amazing prizes from sponsors [Livannah Restaurant](www.facebook.com/livannah.sipsnbites/), [P’ti Restaurant](www.instagram.com/p.ti_sai.gon/), [The Palm Restaurant & Bar](www.thebachsuites.com/thepalm/), [Bạch Place Dalat](www.bachplacedalat.vn), [Fred Wissink Photography](www.fredwissink.com) and [Heads on Pillows](headsonpillows.com). We also announced Travel Massive Asia Conference 2026 will take place on August 21-22 in Da Nang, and gave away a free full-access ticket. More details will be released on Travel Massive in the coming weeks.

A huge thank you to The Palm Restaurant & Bar for hosting the Travel Massive community, and to all raffle sponsors for the generous prizes and support.

— See you at our next event and happy new year!

📸 Photos by [Fred Wissink](www.travelmassive.com/@fredwissink). You can also view the album on the [Travel Massive Saigon Facebook page](www.facebook.com/travelmassivevietnam).

Would like to host, sponsor or speak at a [Saigon Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/ho-chi-minh-city-travel-massive-719984002) event and connect with Vietnam’s travel and hospitality industry? Get in contact with our community leaders [Natalya](www.travelmassive.com/@natalya) or [Megan](www.travelmassive.com/@meg-ly).


0 comments:


#10. Is the Internet Archive (Wayback Machine) important?: (1 upvotes, 6 comments).


Posted by Alastair McKenzie in Discussion ,
Featured on Dec 4, 2025 (14 days ago).


6 comments:

Alastair McKenzie (Social & Travel Media Blogger, Mechtraveller.com):

I've always thought that it is. I'm always grateful that someone is recording what we are doing and keeping it safe... and out of the control of governments.

For that reason, I've been a regular contributor for years and I've just renewed my tiny monthly subscription. I was reminded to renew by this article in PCgamer. The figures are amazing!

www.pcgamer.com/hardware/til-the-wayback-machine-saves-150-000-gigabytes-of-webpages-every-day-and-lives-in-a-church-in-san-francisco/

It's too easy to just forget about organisations like this. I also donate to Wikipedia because I use it daily (so does AI!) and I'd hate to lose it.

What do you think?


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

It sure is!

A few years ago I used Wayback Machine to find the earliest version of hostels.com when it was created by @darren-overby at his hostel the Pacific Tradewinds Hostel in San Francisco.

At the dawn of the web in the mid 1990s, Darren registered the domain name and asked hostel guests to type in hostel information from their guide books / lists into a database on a Macintosh Classic computer, which he then scripted to write the HTML pages of hostel listings on the website.

It's probably one of the first examples of an online accommodation listing website, guides, and advertising (they had a few banner ads).

To honour Darren's work I host the earliest version of the website at h0stels.com (hostels with a zero) for people to explore and enjoy. Incredibly, the original HTML code that is decades old still works on modern browsers!

Darren sold his website to Hostelworld in the early 2000s and the rest is history!


Alastair McKenzie (Social & Travel Media Blogger, Mechtraveller.com):

Wow! H0stels is so deliciously retro! Glad you feel the same way about the importance of archiving, Ian. I'm so impressed that I can visit the first iterations of the British Guild of Travel Writers website (I was webmaster) and even drill down a couple of layers!


Ian (Founder, Travel Massive):

Here's a few gems of the earliest versions of some well known travel websites:

Expedia (1996)
web.archive.org/web/19961221145824/http://expedia.com

Lonely Planet (1996)
web.archive.org/web/19961109172129/http://www.lonelyplanet.com

Skyscanner (2003)
web.archive.org/web/20030619234734/http://www.skyscanner.net

G Adventures (2011)
web.archive.org/web/20111015062243/http://www.gadventures.com

Priceline (1999)
web.archive.org/web/19990208005856/http://priceline.com

AirBnB (2009)
web.archive.org/web/20090305093538/http://www.airbnb.com

Travel Massive (2011)
web.archive.org/web/20120502034819/http://www.travelmassive.com

Skift (2012)
web.archive.org/web/20121222170630/http://skift.com

Travelfish (2004)
web.archive.org/web/20040611045136/http://www.travelfish.org

Tripadvisor (2002)
web.archive.org/web/20021112154657/http://www.tripadvisor.com


Alastair McKenzie (Social & Travel Media Blogger, Mechtraveller.com):

Oh blimey, Travelfish! That shook the dust off a few grey cells! Lol!


Jenn Warren (Travel content creator, Dinkum Tribe):

Whoa! Never realized so many of these sites are still accessible - what an awesome feature!


End of comments.

Upcoming Events

HERE'S THE NEXT 5 UPCOMING EVENTS:


#1. Travel Massive post-holiday ‘Mix & Mingle’


City: Toronto
When: Thursday 8 January, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM
Description:

Hello Toronto Travel Massive community,

Please join us on January 8, 2026 for a post-holiday mix and mingle.

This will be a casual gathering where you can re-connect with old friends, acquaintances and meet new people from Toronto’s vibrant travel industry scene. Talk about your best travel photo in 2025, your new favourite destination and your goals for 2026!

The venue has games, so plenty of fun will be had.

⏰ Schedule of activities:
7:00 PM: Event starts 👈 NEW Start time to accommodate new venue
9:30 PM: Event raffle
10:00 PM: Event ends, but you are welcome to hang back and continue your conversations

⏰ Event raffle:
We will be doing a few giveaways* at the event 🥳. Prizes include:

• Travel Massive swag
• Henry's Camera vouchers. (Must be used by March 31st, 2026)
• Plaza Premium lounge passes

*The winner must be present at the time of the raffle to claim the prize.

💬 Join the conversation:

Travel Massive:
@travelmassiveTO #TravelMassiveToronto

Giveaway partners:

Henry's Camera
www.henrys.com/stores/toronto
@henryscamera #weareallcreators #henryscamera

Plaza Premium Group (PPG)
www.plazapremiumlounge.com
@plazapremiumlounge

🎟️ Event registration: there is a maximum capacity, so make sure to register. If there is a waitlist, we would encourage you to still sign-up in case someone is no longer able to come. If there are any cancellations, we will add people from the waitlist. In the meantime, please have a look at your Travel Massive profile and take a moment to make sure it is up to date as that helps us verify attendees.

Always join the waitlist, cancelations happen, capacity can change.

👉 Please note:
* All guests must be registered to attend.
* No +1s please.
* Must be an active member of the travel industry to attend with an approved and updated profile on www.travelmassive.com. Please make sure to describe what your role is in the travel industry and add associated social media and website links.

👉 Cancellations: If you are no longer able to attend, please try to release your ticket 48 hrs (2 days) before the event so others can attend. Thank you for understanding.

🚨As these events are limited capacity, we have a 3-strike no show policy.

📸 This event might be photographed by a member of a Travel Massive team or/and our event partner. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let us know upon arrival.

Land acknowledgment
We wish to acknowledge the Ancestral Traditional Territories of the Ojibway, the Anishnabe and, in particular, the Mississauga’s of the New Credit whose territories we gather on. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties.

Link to event page

#2. Webinar: How to prepare for ITB Berlin 2026


City: Online
When: Friday 9 January, 2026, starting at 14:00 CET
Description:

Join us for a practical and informative webinar with Ryan Fuller from ITB Berlin, designed for social entrepreneurs and tourism changemakers planning to attend ITB Berlin 2026.

👉 Webinar: How to Prepare for ITB Berlin 2026?
📆 Date: 9 January 2026
⏰ Time: 14:00 CET
🎤 Speaker: Ryan Fuller – ITB Berlin
🌱 Organized by: Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism Competition, in partnership with ITB Berlin

Participants will receive insights into how to prepare effectively for ITB Berlin, including tips on setting clear goals, engaging with the right networks, and making a lasting impression at the event. Ryan will also answer audience questions, offering tailored advice on exhibition readiness, pitch preparation, and navigating the ITB environment.

This webinar is hosted by the Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism (SET) Competition, the only global competition dedicated to social innovation in tourism. It is part of our mission to empower tourism entrepreneurs through knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and global collaboration.

Register today to join live or receive the recording afterwards.

Link to event page

#3. Edinburgh Traveltech Meet Up


City: Edinburgh
When: Thursday 15 January, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM
Description:

Join us for the first TravelTech Meetup of the year, kindly hosted by CreateFuture, bringing together leaders and innovators from across the travel and technology sector.

​The evening will feature a panel discussion with industry voices from Macs Adventure, OAG, Nordic Visitor, and Rabbie’s, exploring how travel businesses are evolving, innovating, and responding to change across the sector. The panel will be hosted by Joshua Ryan Saha, guiding a lively and insightful conversation.

​We’ll also be joined by Dave Ward, who will deliver a 20-minute talk on “The Future of Interfaces”.

​As always, the formal sessions will be followed by plenty of time to network, reconnect, and continue the conversation.

​Whether you’re building, scaling, or simply curious about what’s next for TravelTech, this meetup is a great opportunity to learn, share ideas, and meet others in the community.

Link to event page

#4. Nomad Week Cape Town


City: Cape Town
When: January 25-31, 2026 (7 Days), starting at 10:00
Description:

Join digital nomads, global travelers and locals interested in the lifestyle in Cape Town, South Africa for a full week of inspiring keynotes, workshops, outdoor activities & social evenings.

Nomad Week Cape Town brings digital nomads, entrepreneurs, remote workers & travelers together for a week of connection, collaboration, and fun while exploring the best of Cape Town and South Africa. Along with networking and personal growth, the event focuses on immersing in the local culture, supporting local businesses, and learning about sustainable travel. It’s a chance to build lasting friendships, share knowledge, and enjoy unforgettable experiences while bridging the gap between the nomad and local communities.

Cape Town Travel Massive — we're working on a collab with Nomad Week! In the meantime, please contact @matt-gray or @fuadpeters if you'd like to get your local business involved.

Why attend?

Be inspired & learn – Listen to digital nomads from various industries share insights on topics we need to know more about like AI, Business & Sustainable Travel.

Find community – Join digital nomads and solo travelers together from all over the world to connect in one jam-packed week filled with a ton of activities.

Experience Africa – Explore Cape Town, its beautiful Winelands, the Garden Route or even go on a safari in Botswana. Don’t just sit behind a laptop – experience Africa & support local business

Empower & Integrate – Connect with the local community through empowerment initiatives such as the Digital Skills Day, Africa Pitch Competition, SA Food Market & Student Sponsorship Program.

Africa Expo — Local Connect

As a South African-founded event, we’re committed to creating lasting impact for the local community, not just hosting an event. Thursday is the Africa Expo, dedicated to empowering and uplifting South Africans

• Empowering Local Entrepreneurs: 100 aspiring entrepreneurs will gain free training in digital skills and online business, plus the chance to pitch for prizes that help grow their ventures.
• Celebrating Local Culture: Experience authentic South African cuisine and handcrafted works, giving local vendors and artisans a platform to reach a global audience.
• Investing in the Next Generation: Throughout the week, we’ll promote the Nomad Africa Fund, where attendees can sponsor a local high school student’s education for an entire year, helping create pathways to a brighter future.

👉 Full program, including how to apply to be a speaker over at nomadweek.co

— See you in Cape Town this January!

Link to event page

#5. ENTER26 eTourism conference


City: Breda, The Netherlands
When: January 27-30, 2026 (4 Days), starting at 09:00
Description:

Welcome to the 33rd ENTER eTourism conference

The International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT) is delighted to announce Breda as the host city for the ENTER26 eTourism Conference. Nestled in the south of the Netherlands, Breda is a picturesque mid-sized city renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and exceptional connectivity. Located at the crossroads of major European cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Brussels, Breda offers an easily accessible and inspiring venue for this landmark event from 27th to 30th January 2026.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFJEe91wFnc

Breda University of Applied Sciences: Our Esteemed Partner

ENTER26 will be organized by Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUAS), a premier higher education institution celebrated for its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. With approximately 7,500 students hailing from over 60 countries, BUAS offers 17 bachelor’s and 12 master’s programs across a diverse array of disciplines, including Tourism, Hospitality, Leisure, Gaming, Media, and Logistics.

Since its founding in 1966, BUAS has earned numerous accolades, establishing itself as a leader in applied sciences education. Its unique teaching and learning approach seamlessly integrates academic theory with practical industry experience, creating an exceptional environment for student success. More information about BUAS’s innovative programs can be found at: www.buas.nl/en

A Hub for Innovation in eTourism

As a long-standing member of the IFITT community, BUAS boasts expertise in areas such as digital experience design, digital skills development, online communication, and AI & data science in tourism. Recently, the university launched the Hospitality, Tourism, Innovation & Technology (HTIT) knowledge platform to enhance academia-industry collaboration, establish a national research agenda, and foster innovation through hubs and best practices.

Global Connections and National Leadership

BUAS is also one of the founding members of CELTH, the Dutch National Centre of Expertise in Leisure, Tourism, and Hospitality. Furthermore, it serves as the home of ATLAS (the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research), a global network of 150 universities committed to advancing tourism and leisure studies.

Join Us in Breda for ENTER26

IFITT and BUAS are thrilled to invite you to Breda for the ENTER26 eTourism Conference. This event promises to be an extraordinary opportunity to explore cutting-edge developments in IT and tourism, network with global experts, and immerse yourself in the inspiring atmosphere of Breda.

Mark your calendars and get ready to experience the future of eTourism in one of Europe’s most dynamic and welcoming cities. We look forward to seeing you in Breda in 2026!

For all questions regarding the conference, you can contact us at enter2026@buas.nl

👉 Learn more at ifitt.net/enter-conference/enter26/

Link to event page

#6. Berlin Travel Massive Unconference: Shape the Future of Travel


City: Berlin
When: Thursday 29 January, 2026, starting at 17:00
Description:

Join us for Berlin’s first Travel Massive Unconference, where the travel industry meets to learn, share and shape the conversations that matter most.

This isn’t a traditional conference. YOU set the agenda. Industry professionals propose the topics, the community votes, and together we create an evening of interactive sessions designed for real impact.

Expect:
- Inspiring sessions across tech, hospitality, destinations, media, start-ups and more.
- A chance to share your expertise or discover fresh perspectives.
- Networking with Berlin’s most engaged travel community.

Topics:
- Travel influencer marketing
- Hospitality & Innovation
- AI in Travel

Date: Jan 29, 2026
Time: 18:00–21:00 unconference discussions, 21:00–00:00 social mixer
Location: Mercure Hotel MOA Berlin
Sessions: 30 minutes each, across 3 rooms

Submit now:

Have an idea for a session fitting one of the topics ? We want to hear from you.

Anyone can propose a short talk or case study to a workshop or group discussion. Submissions are open until 23rd of December.

Submit your session idea here: forms.gle/NFULJK3G6CD9h3uHA

After submissions close, the community will vote on their favourite topics in our Berlin Travel Massive WhatsApp and LinkedIn groups. Once you have registered, you will get access and can cast your votes to help shape the final agenda.

Submissions are open until 23rd of December. The final agenda will be announced on the 6th of January.

Who should attend?

Anyone working in travel: hoteliers, tour operators, agents, DMOs, tech companies, travel media, influencers, cultural institutions, start-ups and beyond.

Why attend?
- Learn from peers, not panels.
- Contribute your ideas and expertise.
- Build connections that go deeper than a business card exchange.

🪩 About ITB Berlin
ITB Berlin is the World's Leading Travel Trade Show® and an indispensable meeting place for the global tourism industry. Next to its diverse exhibition area, the ITB Berlin Convention provides forward-looking impulses with top-notch speakers. At the same time, ITB 360° offers knowledge throughout the year with articles, videos, and podcast episodes. ITB is more than just a trade show—it is a global hub for an entire industry. From 3 to 5 March 2026 ITB Berlin will celebrate its 60th anniversary.

🪩 About Moa Mercure Berlin
More than just a hotel, MOA Berlin is your all-in-one dynamic space to stay, meet, work, and connect during ITB and beyond. As an official ITB Partner Hotel, MOA Berlin stands for “Congress, Kiez & Culture”—bringing together a state-of-the-art convention center, authentic Berlin neighborhood spirit, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere under one roof. Centrally located in the heart of Berlin-Moabit, the hotel offers everything modern travelers and professionals need: an in-house fitness studio, a generous breakfast buffet, and an inspiring co-working space that fosters creativity and productivity.
Whether you’re attending ITB, hosting a meeting, or exploring the city, MOA Berlin is where urban lifestyle, warm hospitality, and professional event culture seamlessly merge."

📍 About Destination Digital
Destination Digital is a travel influencer marketing agency connecting tourism boards and travel brands with travel influencers and creators from around the world. 👉 Interested in working with travel influencers or creators ? Catch Bjorn at the event or just drop him an email at bjorn@destinationdigital.agency

🌎 About Travel Massive
The Travel Massive community connects thousands of tourism professionals, travel media, influencers and startups from around the world to meet, connect and share ideas. Our Berlin ITB meetups have been running since 2013 and have played host to some of Berlin's biggest travel meetups at venues across Berlin.

👉 Please note: When you register for this event we will may share your details (including email) with our event sponsors. There may also be photography during the evening.

Link to event page

Classified Ads

Here's the 10 latest classified ads:


Classified #1. Expedition Leader (Tanzania)


• Company: Natural Habitat Adventures
• Location: Tanzania.
End of classified.

Classified #2. Operation Executive - Singapore


• Company: Discova
• Location: Singapore.
End of classified.

Classified #3. Protect Your Blog From AI Copying — And Get Paid


• Company: Copymight Coalition
• Location: Austin, Texas.
• AI platforms are reproducing blog posts word-for-word. We help bloggers protect their content and recover damages when that happens — at no cost to you. Our website is at: https://copymight.org We register your articles with the U.S. Copyright Office We scan for AI copyright violations A recent settlement in this space paid $3,000 per violation Each article on your site is a separate potential violation Our legal team handles all enforcement You keep 51% of settlements and 70% of licensing revenue Zero fees. Zero risk. Serious protection. Get a free scan of enforceable copyright violations at: 👉 https://copymight.kit.com/travelmassive
End of classified.

Classified #4. Event Creator - Spanish Community


• Company: WeRoad
• Location: Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Málaga & Valencia.
End of classified.

Classified #5. Brand Marketing Executive


• Company: JayWay Travel
• Location: Remote (Portugal or Poland).
End of classified.

Classified #6. Digital Marketing Specialist - 12 month FTC


• Company: Skyscanner
• Location: Edinburgh.
End of classified.

Classified #7. Head of Marketing, AMER - Geo Growth Lead


• Company: Skyscanner
• Location: Miami.
End of classified.

Classified #8. Partner Growth and Agility - New Partners - Business Development Associate


• Company: Expedia Group
• Location: Madrid, Spain.
End of classified.

Classified #9. Senior Product Manager, AI


• Company: Agoda
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand.
End of classified.

Classified #10. [Summer Internship 2026] Strategic Partnerships Intern, Growth team (Bangkok Based)


• Company: Agoda
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand.
End of classified.

This is the end of the page. Thanks for being a part of our community!